Pets
Dogo Argentino: A Great Guardian and Family Dog
Feb
Dogs are many: some are extremely beautiful and cute, like Schnoodles, and some are so strong that they can even hunt large animals.
One such big game hunter is the Dogo Argentino, known for his extraordinary strength and aggression.
It has grace, drive and a great temperament.
But how useful is this dog? Or why is Dogo Argentina classified among powerful dogs?
Does he make a good family dog?
hold your breath!
For we will answer all these and other questions.
Table of Contents
1. They Originated in Argentino
The background of Dogo Argentino is Dr. It has a centuries-old history when a doctor named Antonio Nores Martinez deliberately decided to breed a large hunting dog that could also become a family dog.
He chose the Cordoba dog as the base breed for this task. After successive trials, he finally succeeded in creating a breed known today as the Dogo Argentino.
Over time, he proved to be a very loyal and impenetrable companion to those who adopted him.
In 1973, Dr. Antonio’s younger brother, Dr. Thanks to Augustine’s efforts, it was recognized by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) as the first and only Argentine breed.
Finally, in 2020, the American Kennel Club (AKC) recognized the Dogo Argentino as its 195th breed: first time from Argentina.
2. They are Big White Large Breed Dogs
What is cachorro Dogo Argentino?
The Dogo Argentino is a large white hunter-guard and family dog with a fast, athletic body and great intelligence.
What does the Dogo Argentino look like?
They are pure white muscular dogs with a short white coat and a dark spot on one of the eyes, ears or one of the face not exceeding 10% of the entire facial area.
Average lifespan is 10-15 years.
The muzzle is large, with a black nose, open nostrils and almond eyes. Ears are floppy, usually cropped.
The standard height and weight of male Dogos are 24 – 26.5 inches and 88 – 100 lbs respectively, while a Dogo Argentino females standard height is 24.5 – 25 inches and weight is between 88 and 95 lbs.
The neck is thick, strong and slightly wrinkled like an ox.
The legs are straight and vertical, the upper arm is the same length as the shoulder.
The toes on the forelimbs are strong, thick and tightly fitted with black pads. The forelimbs also have dew claws.
The hindquarters are exposed, they have very muscular thighs, short hips, and feet slightly smaller than their forelegs, but lack dew claws.
3. They are Strong, Muscular, and Big Game Hunters
Originally created to hunt large game such as the red-nosed pitbull, they are strong enough to pull even heavy loads.
For this reason, it is one of the most preferred dogs:
- For police, pedestrian tracking, drug raids and cadaver searches
- For military, search and rescue
- As families, guard dogs and pets
- Hunters, for hunting cougars and wild boars
Do you Know?
Massillon police mourned the passing of K-9 Inca, a Dogo Argentino who had assisted the ministry for 11 years in hundreds of cases.
They are tough dogs that do well outside.
The Dogo Argentino is a muscular breed of dog that can pull heavy loads, including cars and trucks.
They have one of the strongest jaws that helps them hunt and hold boars and cougars.
If we talk about the bite force, again they are the strongest with a bite force of 500 PSI.
Watch the video below to learn about their powers, their ability to catch prey like wild boar, and a guide to hunting with Dogos.
4. They are Extremely Aggressive
Is Dogo Argentino dangerous?
Yes, it can be so dangerous to other animals that it can kill, or even fight to the death in other cases.
The Dogo Argentino’s temperament can be summed up in three words: humble, friendly and extremely aggressive towards other dogs.
Do you know?
In the United Kingdom, the Dogo Argentino and its crosses are prohibited under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991.
The obvious reason is that they were bred from fighting dogs, and even today their primary use is hunting and guarding.
Therefore, owners need to train them from an early age; Otherwise, they may have a hard time pulling them back every time they encounter other dogs.
People often ask if Dogos are banned.
Not all, but in certain countries, including New Zealand, Australia, certain Scandinavian and Scandinavian countries, and Turkey, Ukraine, Dogos are either banned or have property restrictions.
In the USA, Dogo Argentinos is banned in certain states or cities such as Aurora, Colorado, and New York City.
But surprisingly, despite their aggressive nature, they are the perfect family dog, described by the AKC as ‘cheerful, humble and friendly’.
Their intelligence and affection make them the best guardians of their families.
Most people think of Dogo Argentino Vs. Pitbulls. But there is a difference between the two, which is explained below.
| Characteristics | Pitbull | Dogo Argentino |
| Coat Color | Any solid color or patched | Completely white |
| Aggressiveness | Much lesser. Friendly with its family and strangers. | Aggressive with strangers, people, and other dogs. |
| Muscularity | Very strong. It can pull even cars. Have more muscles than Dogo Argentino.Owners should regularly train their dogs to maintain muscle development. | But Dogo Argentino has more muscle-mass than Argentino.Owners should regularly train their dogs to maintain muscle development. |
| Jaws Strength | They do not have any mechanism or enzyme to lock their jaws when they catch prey. Still, they don’t release easily when they bite. | On the other hand, Dogo Argentino has very strong jaws, making it easier for him to hunt pumas and big boars. |
| Athletic | Most pit bulls are athletic, but primarily they are house dogs. | Dogos are big athletic dogs and stronger than Pitbulls. They don’t feel the pain so easily. They are so faithful that they even take the death risk for the owner. |
| Energy Level | High-energy. | You need to make sure your dog is getting proper physical and mental exercise |
| Bite Force | 235 PSI | 500 PSI |
| Ear Cropping | Not normal | Pretty normal with them |
5. They need to be Socialized and Trained Earlier
If something goes wrong with breeding, socialization or proper training, you could be held responsible for owning a dog that has seriously injured or even killed another dog.
Fortunately, these dogs are fairly easy to train because unlike others, you don’t have to repeat an instruction many times for them to understand.
In other words, they are mentally and physically strong, requiring an experienced and firm trainer who does not resort to punishing him for disobeying orders.
6. They Have High Energy Level, So Need Daily Exercise
Do you know how high a Dogo Argentino can jump?
You will be surprised. It’s as high as six feet with a sprint of 40 miles per hour. They are high-energy dogs, ready for any action at any moment.
Because they were created to hunt large animals, they can do a full day of activity thanks to their large lung capacity.
Aggressive nature and strong muscle mass require lots of exercise and mental stimulation.
There are several options available for this, including playtime in your backyard or taking him for a long walk (at least twice a day).
Some outdoor activities like walking, swimming, long chase are best to strengthen their muscles.
When you’re out and about, don’t forget to take your dog’s essentials like a water bottle because you never know when your dog is losing energy in a short time.
Like other dogs, she loves to fetch, play hide and seek and chase a rolling ball.
In addition, dog sports like agility, obedience and rally can be a lot more fun for both of you.
Watch the video below to learn about the rally. You will love it and immediately plan to train your dog for it. Take a look:
7. They are Healthy Dogs with Few Genetic Problems
One of the problems they have is breed deafness. It can happen in one ear or both. The likely cause could be the pigment-related deafness that whites often have.
The recommended health test for Dogo Argentinos is the BAER test to evaluate dogs’ hearing.
Due to poor breeding practices, all but some breeds have a higher chance of being infected with common problems including:
- Hip Dysplasia (medium chances)
- Deafness (high stakes)
- Autoimmune Thyroiditis
and some skin allergies due to their white coats.
8. Their Feeding Needs Are According to Large Breed dogs
Dogos’ diet needs to be formulated for large breeds.
Nutrition is your personal preference,
However, it is always recommended to consult your veterinarian or breeder after adoption to determine the ideal food for your Dogo Argentino.
Among other things, they need plenty of fresh, clean water to drink when going out or sitting down.
9. They Need Occasional Grooming
Grooming a Dogo is easier due to its fine and hairless fur, but at the same time the plus size does the job big.
But the good news is that this dog does not need a lot of grooming like the cavoodle and bernedoodle. It’s fine to take an occasional bath when they look dirty.
Brushing
How much hair a dog sheds is a matter of concern for every dog owner, especially those who live in apartments.
Because the Dogo Argentino is a hairless breed, it needs to be taken to a pet sitter occasionally.
All it takes is timely nail clipping, teeth cleaning, etc.
Nail Trimming
This dog’s nails are strong and grow much faster than normal, they need to be trimmed to prevent cracking.
Among other things, like trimming your Dogo’s nails with a painless nail clipper, there’s one thing to watch out for: ear clipping.
Among other things, like trimming your Dogo’s nails with a painless nail clipper, there’s one thing to watch out for: ear clipping.
Ear Cropping
Ear cropping is not common in most dogs. For example, you wouldn’t hear a coyote’s ears clipped.
So, is it okay to crop Dogo Argentino’s ears? Let’s see what one of the biggest dog associations has to say about it.
According to the American Kennel Club (AKC), clipping your dog’s ear is one of:
“…acceptable practices for defining and preserving racial character and/or promoting health.” – AKC
But why do we need to crop Dogo’s ears? This is because its creator, Dr. It is the original Dogo Argentino standard implemented and adopted by Antonia Nores.
The most obvious reason for this may be that the short ears prevent the prey from catching and biting them.
In some countries, people prefer to cut off the ears of the males and leave the females as they are.
Whichever practice you follow, it’s entirely up to you how you want your dog to look.
Teeth Cleaning
Dogo Argentino has 42-44 teeth.
Teeth should be cleaned regularly to prevent plague.
Ear Cleaning
If you have your Dogo’s ears clipped as mentioned above, it means he is more prone to dust; in this case, you need to check the ear for dirt or residue frequently.
10. They are Expensive: both Dogo Pups and Adults
If you’re going to buy Dogo Argentino puppies, don’t think you can get them cheap. Quite an expensive breed.
How much is a Dogo Argentino puppy?
Dogo Argentino breeders sell Dogo puppies for $1000 – $2500; this can go up to $5000 if they belong to a purebred and champion bloodline.
You can also buy Dogo puppies online, provided the breeder is reliable so you don’t just get a knockout.
Here are 5 tips to consider while buying a Dogos Argentino pup or adult.
- Go to the breeder that complies with the guidelines set by the AKC and the Dogo Argentino Club of America, eg those who don’t sell to pet stores, etc.
- Prefer adult Dogos to younger ones as some diseases are not noticed in puppies
- Do not buy from an unreliable source or you will buy an unhealthy and difficult to socialize dog.
- Do not hesitate to ask for the OFA or PennHIP certification of a puppy’s parents for hip dysplasia and the OFA BAER clearance certification for hearing.
- The seller must then be willing to cooperate and not only sell under the phrase Warning Emptor.
Conclusion
We would go so far as to say that the Dogo is the ultimate dog. It has the ability to do anything you can expect a dog to do.
For example, if you want it to be hunted, it will hunt. If you want it to be a family dog, it will happily if you train it well.
The best thing about them is that they adapt to any situation. You can find it in apartments, in the snow, in the scorching heat of the deserts.
Would you like Dogo Argentino to be part of your family? What do you like most about this dog? Let us know in the comments section below.
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